About

Ghajnsielem is a village situated in the South East of Gozo. As soon as you enter Mgarr Harbour, while still aboard the ferry, you could not help but notice the welcoming landmarks of this harbour village. Its name originated from the water spring, around which in 1700, Grandmaster Perellos built an arcade containing public washbasins and fresh water spouts. So without any stretch of imagination, the name Ghajnsielem means "a peaceful spring". According to a well known legend, the village's "founding father" Anglu Grech had a 'vision' of Our Lady near the spring and was directed to erect a statue of Our Lady of Loreto at a specified place near the spring. The statue was erected, and later, the church followed suit.

In Ghajnsielem there is Fort Chambray, built after 1749, which offered security to the inhabitants of the area. The village has a number of other historical and archaeological attractions. These include the Mgarr ix-Xini Tower and the larger Saint Cecilia Tower which is located near the main road leading to Xewkija. Near St. Cecilia Tower (built in 1618) one can still get a glimpse of the ancient chapel dedicated to the same saint and which is, reputedly, the oldest chapel on the island. A unique Neolithic settlement, also in this outlying part of Għajnsielem, was excavated by a team of archaeologists from Cambridge University in 1987.